Leon at stereo microscope (Photo credit: scalefreenetwork)
Some say the song of summer is made up of crickets, crackling camp fires and crunchy snacks. For others, it sounds like a high-pitched whine: “Mom, I’m bored.”
If that phrase is a “stopper” in your home business you’re not alone. Somehow our kids’ boredom has become something to be avoided at all costs. It makes lots of parents nervous. We quickly become entertainers, rummaging through our memories for something — anything — to capture out kids’ imaginations.
When did boredom go out of style and why do parents seem so frightened of it?
As with many of our well-intended efforts, the parental rush to instantly eliminate boredom may be sending the wrong message:
- every moment must be filled
- you are not responsible for your own feelings
- uncomfortable feelings are a very bad thing and should be avoided at all costs
- your uncomfortable feelings are more important than what I’m doing
- something (or someone) outside of you can (and should) ‘make’ you feel better
Are these the things you want to be teaching the children in your life? And, even if you’re very fortunate and your kids are not taking those messages from your response, here’s another question to ask:
What happens once you’re not there to entertain them? What if they experience boredom in the class room? Or at sports practice? Or at the movies? Or on the job? Who is responsible for dropping everything and racing to the rescue then?
Maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but sometimes it’s the easiest way to picture all of the consequences of our actions — intended or otherwise. As uncomfortable as it may be for parents, given the chance, kids can discover other interests.
Granted, you may regret a new-found interest in the history of the knock-knock joke… but who knows what they’ll come up with later????
Related articles
Related articles
We like SHARING:
2 Responses to “When Kids Are Bored”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Great post! It is very important to teach kids creativity. As parents you should be teaching your children how to be independent and find ways to eliminate being bored.
Boredom is a great tool for reinforcing imagination and creativity. I don’t remember being bored as child and I have tried to give my children freedom to explore our neighborhood, as well as have lots of opportunities for them to be creative at home, away from the computer and television. My husband and I both work from home so bored kids whining all summer isn’t what we want or need. Setting our kids up to be successful requires some thought on our part and organization but we don’t believe in over-scheduling them or filling every minute with activities. I have faith that they can figure it out, even if it takes some whining or negotiation to get there.